Scoring a half-century in a T20 league as competitive as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is no mean feat. With a bowling attack boasting talents like Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi, batters face an uphill task in achieving the coveted milestone.
The league has witnessed remarkable performances over the years, with players consistently leaving their mark. In this exploration of the most fifties in PSL from 2016 to 2023, we delve into the power hitters who have shaped the league’s batting landscape. Read our complete article about HBL PSL 9: Exciting Players Draft Pick Order Officially Finalized.
Most Fifties in PSL 2016-2023 Key Takeaways
- Babar Azam Dominates: Babar Azam stands tall with 28 half-centuries, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess.
- Fakhar Zaman’s Winning Knack: Fakhar Zaman’s 20 fifties include an impressive record of scoring the most fifties in matches won.
- Kamran Akmal’s Peshawar Reign: Kamran Akmal, a Peshawar Zalmi stalwart, notches up 15 fifties, mostly contributing to his team’s success.
- Muhammad Rizwan’s 2022 Brilliance: Muhammad Rizwan’s stellar performance in 2022, scoring 7 fifties, marks a standout season.
- Shoaib Malik’s Versatility: Shoaib Malik’s 14 fifties span across various PSL seasons, demonstrating his adaptability.
- Rilee Rossouw’s Entertainment Factor: Rilee Rossouw’s flair with the bat, accumulating 11 fifties, adds an entertainment quotient to PSL.
- Luke Ronchi’s Consistency: Luke Ronchi’s consistent performances, especially in 2018 with 5 fifties, solidify his impact.
- Ahmed Shehzad’s Controversial Brilliance: Despite controversies, Ahmed Shehzad’s 9 fifties highlight his undeniable talent in the PSL.
- Shane Watson’s Milestones: Shane Watson, a PSL luminary, attains a milestone with 9 fifties, showcasing his all-round prowess.
- Umar Akmal’s Early Dominance: Umar Akmal’s 8 fifties in 2016 underline his early dominance in the budding PSL.
1. Babar Azam | 28 Fifties
Babar Azam’s dominance in the PSL batting arena is unparalleled, with 28 half-centuries to his name. The Karachi Kings’ maestro has showcased his genius across seasons, consistently delivering impactful innings. Babar’s ability to score most fifties against all PSL teams highlights his versatility. Let’s break down his impressive record against each team:
| Team | Fifties |
|---|---|
| Peshawar Zalmi | 8 |
| Islamabad United | 7 |
| Quetta Gladiators | 5 |
| Multan Sultans | 4 |
| Lahore Qalandars | 3 |
| Karachi Kings | 1 |
Babar Azam’s yearly most fifties breakdown reveals his remarkable consistency:
| Year | Fifties |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
Babar Azam’s stellar performances in 2021 stand out, making it a season to remember for Karachi Kings.
2. Fakhar Zaman | 20 Fifties
Fakhar Zaman, a dynamic batsman, boasts 20 fifties in the PSL, leaving an indelible mark on matches won. His standout year was 2020, where he scored an impressive 7 fifties along with a century. Let’s explore his most fifties against each team:
| Team | Fifties |
|---|---|
| Peshawar Zalmi | 5 |
| Islamabad United | 4 |
| Quetta Gladiators | 4 |
| Lahore Qalandars | 3 |
| Multan Sultans | 2 |
| Karachi Kings | 2 |
Fakhar Zaman’s fifties by year showcase his consistency:
| Year | Fifties |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 3 |
Fakhar Zaman’s ability to perform in crucial moments defines his impact in the PSL.
3. Muhammad Rizwan | 16 Fifties
Muhammad Rizwan’s iconic performance in the 2022 PSL, scoring 7 fifties, marks a standout season for the Multan Sultans’ player. His ability to score against all teams is evident:
| Team | Fifties |
|---|---|
| Islamabad United | 3 |
| Lahore Qalandars | 3 |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 2 |
| Quetta Gladiators | 2 |
| Karachi Kings | 2 |
| Multan Sultans | 2 |
Muhammad Rizwan’s yearly fifties breakdown:
| Year | Fifties |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4 |
Muhammad Rizwan’s exceptional form in 2022 solidifies his status as a top-tier batsman in the PSL.
4. Kamran Akmal | 15 Fifties
Kamran Akmal, a Peshawar Zalmi stalwart, has amassed 15 fifties, playing a pivotal role in his team’s success. His performances across seasons and against specific teams underscore his contribution:
| Team | Fifties |
|---|---|
| Peshawar Zalmi | 9 |
| Islamabad United | 3 |
| Karachi Kings | 2 |
| Quetta Gladiators | 1 |
Kamran Akmal’s yearly fifties breakdown:
| Year | Fifties |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 0 |
Kamran Akmal’s prolific form in 2018, with 4 fifties, played a crucial role in Peshawar Zalmi’s campaign.
5. Shoaib Malik | 14 Fifties
Shoaib Malik, with 14 fifties, holds various PSL records, including the most fifties for Peshawar Zalmi. His contributions across seasons and against different teams highlight his versatility:
| Team | Fifties |
|---|---|
| Peshawar Zalmi | 7 |
| Quetta Gladiators | 2 |
| Multan Sultans | 2 |
| Lahore Qalandars | 1 |
| Islamabad United | 1 |
| Karachi Kings | 1 |
Shoaib Malik’s yearly fifties breakdown:
| Year | Fifties |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
Shoaib Malik’s consistent performance, especially in 2020, has been instrumental for Peshawar Zalmi.
6. Rilee Rossouw | 11 Fifties
Rilee Rossouw, a dynamic player for both the Sultans and Gladiators, has entertained fans with his explosive batting. His knack for scoring fifties against all teams showcases his adaptability:
| Team | Fifties |
|---|---|
| Multan Sultans | 3 |
| Quetta Gladiators | 3 |
| Karachi Kings | 1 |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 1 |
| Lahore Qalandars | 1 |
| Islamabad United | 1 |
| Gladiators (2023) | 1 |
Rilee Rossouw’s yearly fifties breakdown:
| Year | Fifties |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 |
Rilee Rossouw’s consistently impactful performances make him a brand player in the PSL.
7. Luke Ronchi | 10 Fifties
Luke Ronchi, often underrated, has left an indelible mark in the PSL, featuring among players with the most half-centuries. His standout season in 2018, where he scored 5 fifties, highlights his consistency:
| Team | Fifties |
|---|---|
| Islamabad United | 5 |
| Quetta Gladiators | 3 |
| Multan Sultans | 2 |
Luke Ronchi’s yearly fifties breakdown:
| Year | Fifties |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
Luke Ronchi’s outstanding performances, especially in 2018, solidify his status as a consistent performer for Islamabad United.
8. Ahmed Shehzad | 9 Fifties
Despite being entangled in controversies, Ahmed Shehzad has proven himself as one of the PSL’s top performers. The majority of his 9 fifties came for Quetta Gladiators:
| Team | Fifties |
|---|---|
| Quetta Gladiators | 8 |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 1 |
Ahmed Shehzad’s yearly fifties breakdown:
| Year | Fifties |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
Ahmed Shehzad’s prolific season in 2019, where he scored the most fifties, cements his position among the PSL’s top batters.
9. Shane Watson | 9 Fifties
Shane Watson, a major contributor to the PSL, achieved significant milestones, including featuring among players with the most fifties. His 9 fifties, distributed between Gladiators and Islamabad United, showcase his all-round excellence:
| Team | Fifties |
|---|---|
| Quetta Gladiators | 8 |
| Islamabad United | 1 |
Shane Watson’s yearly fifties breakdown:
| Year | Fifties |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
Shane Watson’s exceptional season in 2019, where he scored 4 fifties, remains a highlight of his PSL career.
10. Umar Akmal | 8 Fifties
Umar Akmal, despite controversies, ranks among the best performers in terms of fifties in the PSL. His early dominance in 2016, with 4 fifties, showcased his potential:
| Team | Fifties |
|---|---|
| Lahore Qalandars | 5 |
| Quetta Gladiators | 2 |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 1 |
Umar Akmal’s yearly fifties breakdown:
| Year | Fifties |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
Umar Akmal’s impactful debut season in 2016 established him as a force to be reckoned with in the PSL.
Conclusion
The journey from 2016 to 2023 in the Pakistan Super League has witnessed the rise of power hitters who have consistently delivered half-centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the league’s history. From Babar Azam’s batting genius to Fakhar Zaman’s knack for scoring in winning matches, each player has contributed to the league’s entertainment and competitiveness. As we await future seasons, these batting maestros will continue to shape the narrative of the PSL with their explosive performances and relentless pursuit of